Thiel: Study: Vitamin D curtails diabetes risk

Dr. Anastassio’s Pittas, from the division of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston, Mass., presented his findings to the American Diabetes Association last month.

This research speculates that vitamin D may play an important role in diabetes by improving insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in those patients that might previously be at risk for diabetes.

The study involved 2,039 people and took over three years to complete. The study also focused largely on people who were considered prediabetic.

In the study he found that individuals with the highest serum level of vitamin D had the least chance of developing diabetes whereas those with the lowest vitamin D levels develop diabetes more than twice as frequently.

They determined that this was a dose-dependent ratio, meaning the more vitamin D you had in your daily intake the better the odds of not contracting diabetes later in life.

The authors were cautious to state that it would be premature to recommend vitamin D specifically for prevention of diabetes until they randomized placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D for the prevention of type II diabetes can be conducted.

Though the study was validated as per the patient’s lifestyle and a placebo was used in its methodology, the results still seemed favourable and the use of vitamin D and its implications towards treating patients that are considered prediabetic.

The Mayo Clinic states that Vitamin D is found in many dietary sources such as fish, eggs and cod liver oil.

The sun also contributes significantly to the daily production of vitamin D, and as little as 10 minutes of exposure is thought to be enough to prevent deficiencies.

The term “vitamin D” refers to several different forms of this vitamin. Two forms are important in humans: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 is synthesized by plants.

Vitamin D3 is synthesized by humans in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays from sunlight. Foods may be fortified with vitamin D2 or D3.

The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones.

Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may provide protection from osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases.

In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteomalacia, which results in muscular weakness in addition to weak bones.

Populations who may be at a high risk for vitamin D deficiencies include the elderly, obese individuals, exclusively breastfed infants, and those who have limited sun exposure.

Also, individuals who have fat malabsorption syndromes (e.g., cystic fibrosis) or inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s disease) are at risk. The importance of supplementation with vitamin D cannot be ignored as it has been proven time and time again that it is essential to normal physiological function and important in boosting the immune system.

Markus Thiel is a doctor of chiropractic.

askdrthiel@shaw.ca

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